Martin Luther King Day of Service

Who was Martin Luther King Jr.?

• Martin Luther King, Jr., was a Baptist minister and social rights activist in the United States in the 1950s and ’60s.

• He was a leader of the American civil rights movement who organized a number of peaceful protests, including the March on Washington where he delivered his  “I Have a Dream” speech, in which he spoke of his dream of a United States void of segregation and racism.

• Dr. King also advocated for nonviolent methods of protest and organized and staged countless marches and boycotts.

• Dr. King won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964, and, at the time, he was the youngest person to have done so.

For more information on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., check out: Martin Luther King, Jr. - The Montgomery bus boycott | Britannica

When is MLK Day of Service?

• In 1983, legislation recognized the birthday of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. as a federal holiday, and the country first observed the holiday in 1986. In 1984, Congress passed the Service Act, which declared MLK Day as a national day of service.

• Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service takes place on January 16th, 2023. MLK Day of Service is now recognized on the third Thursday in January every year. On this day we commemorate and honor Dr. King's accomplishments and his everlasting impact on the civil rights movement.

Why does MLK Day of Service matter?

• MLK Day matters because it recognizes Dr. King’s legacy of service while inspiring us to serve in our own ways. A lot of the things Dr. King advocated for during his lifetime (racial justice, economic equality, affordable housing, labor rights, etc.) are issues we’re still fighting for today.

In what ways can I celebrate, take part in, and/or honor MLK Day of Service?

On this MLK Day of Service, be encouraged by Dr. King's teachings and give back and improve the communities around us. Embrace the power of coming together by considering what acts of service you can take part in to make a difference in your community. Encourage those close to you to do the same.

• Search MLKDay.gov. Spearheaded by AmeriCorps, the site allows you to search MLK Day virtual and in-person volunteer opportunities in your community and check out other resources.

• Find ways to support the National Civil Rights Museum or get involved in your local historical society.
• Explore the Idealist website for volunteer tasks, COVID-19 efforts, and other locally-based volunteer opportunities.
   

For more information or to see how other people are getting involved on MLK Day of Service, check out  MLK Day of Service - What It Is, Why It's Important - Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay

For more information on how to get involved nationally, visit: 19 Resources and Ideas to Celebrate the MLK Day of Service | Teach For America and 9 Ways To Meaningfully Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day This Year

Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’

– Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Resources:

• MLK Day of service information: MLK Day | AmeriCorps

• History and Facts: Martin Luther King Jr: Quotes, Assassination & Facts - HISTORY

• Things you should know about Martin Luther King Jr. and ways you can honor MLK Day of Service: What You Should Know About Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service | DoSomething.org

• The history of MLK Day of Service: The history of the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service - Reading Partners

• Who was Dr. King: About Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr

About the Author:

Katarina, or Kat or Rin for short works in healthcare and advocacy. As a former youth with lived experience, one of her biggest goals is to uplift youth voices within the child welfare system and influence policy to reflect better outcomes for youth in care. Her passions surround everything related to the art of storytelling. She loves acting, singing, writing, and reading in her spare time. She sings, plays the guitar, and plays the piano by ear.